How Long Do We Have to Wait to Call This Ducks Defense One of the Best in Oregon History?

Oregon's defense has gone three straight games without allowing a TD, and they rank No. 13 in the nation despite an early falter against Auburn. So is it too early to call them Oregon's best of all-time?

How many dominant performances do we need to see from this Ducks' defense in order to call it one of the best in Oregon football history?

Do they need to sustain this level of play for six games? 10 games? Are we already there?

The question begs to be asked. Oregon is playing a caliber of defense that has rarely been seen in Autzen Stadium, and the numbers can back it up. Through four weeks, the Ducks rank 13th in the nation, giving up on average 3.89 yards per play, and they have allowed just three offensive touchdowns, tied for third-fewest in the nation. 

While those stats alone are impressive, they receive a significant boost when you consider that all three of those touchdowns allowed came in the second half against the Auburn Tigers over three weeks ago in the first game of the season. If we were to take away that game and judge Oregon based on the remaining 12 quarters, it's hard not to say they're the best defense the Ducks have ever had. Just look at these stats. 

Total Points: 15

Total Yards Allowed: 668 (average 222)

Total Touchdowns: 0

Total Turnovers: 6

Third-Down Efficiency Allowed: 14-46

Average Yards Per Pass Allowed: 6.7

Average Yards Per Rush Allowed: 1.5

You've probably heard these facts already, but they're worth mentioning again: After keeping Stanford out of the endzone on Saturday, the Ducks have now kept their opponent from scoring a touchdown in three straight games, marking the first time since 1935 that an Oregon team has done that. The Ducks have also not allowed a touchdown in the first half of any game this season. 

While Oregon has largely been known for explosive offenses that are primed to win shootouts that last late into the night, it appears that the defense will allow Justin Herbert and his squad to ease off the gas late in games this year. A muddled identity that often familiarized itself with blown assignments and missed tackles has now given way to a stout defensive front who is quick to pressure the quarterback. They are also backed by a ball-hawking secondary who will smother the skill-positions to the point of exhaustion. 

While the offense has looked unsettlingly mediocre so far this season, the defense has been something special to watch. Assuming that the Ducks can make their way through the rest of the Pac-12 unscathed, it will be the defenders who lead the way into a post-season birth for Oregon.